Teddy Gentry, the bass player of Alabama, wore a black Bama Rising T-shirt at Tuesday's benefit. The shirts sold for $25 each at merchandise stands at the BJCC Arena. All proceeds from sales will go to the Bama Rising Fund. (The Birmingham News/Hal Yeager)

The atmosphere at Tuesday’s concert ranged from festive to serious, as the enthusiastic crowd cheered its favorites and solemnly watched video clips of the tornadoes’ aftermath. Comedian Whoopi Goldberg had taped a message for the audience, as did Birmingham native Condoleezza Rice, former U.S. Secretary of State.

The concert drew a packed house of music aficionados and, in some cases, people directly affected by the tornadoes.

Concertgoer Holly Capps, 26, said her house in Concord was demolished by the storms.

"I’m here to show support for my neighbors," Capps said. "I know what they’re going through."

The band Alabama has pledged its continued support to tornado recovery throughout the state, although future fund-raisers are likely to be smaller in scale than Tuesday’s grand event.

"This is a long-term commitment," Owen said. "This is not just about tonight, not just about us."